Cycling

Cycling

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. --- The Lees-McRae cycling program picked up four wins and a total of 36 top 10's while participating at Union College over the weekend in Barbourville, Ky.

The Bobcats ended up with four victories, 13 podiums, and 36 total top 10 finishes. Our season total after two weekends is now nine victories, 22 podiums, and 59 top 10 placings.

Junior Phil Kmetz (Keene, N.H.) padded a pair of wins to his impressive Bobcat career with wins in the Men A downhill and Men A 2x Mountain Cross.

"Union proved to be a very exciting weekend. I was thrilled to take the victories in both of the gravity events and hope to carry this momentum through the rest of the season and into the national championships later this fall," said Kmetz.

Senior Emma Klingaman (Idyllwild, Calif.) earned a win in the Women A short track and finished second in the Women A cross country.

"I am grateful for how well this weekend's events played out. It is a rewarding feeling to have hard work and persistence pay off. It will be exciting to uncover what is in store for the rest of the mountain bike season," said Klingaman.

Freshman Silas Moorefield (Statesville, N.C.) won the Men B cross country contest and finished second in the Men B short track.

"Our team raced with a lot of heart and enthusiasm this weekend at Union. Our captains, Emma and Phil, both set the tone with outstanding performances with three victories and a second place between them. Our younger riders can learn a lot by watching and emulating their style and leadership," praised head coach and director of cycling Tim Hall. "We are also quite pleased with our consistency of riders in the top 10. To be able to place four or five riders in the top 10 of any SECCC event is a big accomplishment. It is an indicator of good things to come later in the season."